Magnet bail construction



Sept. 8, 1970 E. K. PHARES MAGNET BAIL ooNsTRucTIoN 2 Sheets-Sheet J Filed May 8, 1968 P/zar y Quia@ MZ sept. s, 1970 Filed May 8, 1968 E. K. PHARES MAGNET BAIL CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG, 4

United States Patent Office 3,527,493 Patented Sept. 8., 1970 3,527,493 MAGNET BAIL CONSTRUCTION Earl Knowles Phares, Hammond, Ind., assignor to S. G.

Taylor Chain Company, Inc., Hammond, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed May 8, 1968, Ser. No. 727,468 Int. Cl. B66c 1/12 U.S. Cl. 294--74 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bail construction for supporting a magnet wherein a chain is secured between the magnet and the bail. The bail comprises a two-part assembly consisting of a U- shaped upper portion, and a cast section. A pair of vertically extending openings are provided in the cast section for receiving the downwardly extending legs of the U- shaped portion. Additional openings are provided in the casting for receiving the ends of the chain. The means securing the bail and the chain to the cast section preferably comprise bolts and cotter pins.

This invention relates to a supporting structure for a magnet. Magnets are ordinarily supported by a relatively flexible structure which can be connected to an overhead crane or the like so that the magnet can be utilized with maximum efliciency.

In a typical construction, a magnet is supported by means of a bail. The bail includes an upper portion which will receive a hook from an overhead crane. A lower portion of the bail includes means for attaching a chain which is in turn connected to the magnet.

Attempts have been made to provide a suitable bail by casting the bail since this is the most economical production technique. Diiculties have been encountered, however, since casting operations generally do not provide sufficient strength. This drawback is particularly noticeable in recent times since the load requirements for magnets have been increased.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved bail construction for supporting magnets.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an improved bail construction which is characterized by a high load supporting design so that the magnets supported by the construction can be utilized in applications requiring the lifting of very heavy loads.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter, and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specific embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating the bail and chain construction of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View, partly in section, of the construction shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the bail construction;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational View of the bail construction; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view taken about the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

The structure of this invention generally comprises a bail formed in the two-part assembly. One portion of the assembly comprises a U-shaped bar which can be utilized for engagement by a lifting hook, for example of the type employed on an overhead crane. The other assembly portion comprises a casting having a pair of vertically extending openings for receiving the legs of the U-shaped bar. Additional openings are formed in the casting for securing the chain employed for supporting the magnet.

An important aspect of the invention relates to the location of the securing means for the legs of the U-shaped bar and the securing means for the chain. Specifically, the legs of the U-shaped bar are secured adjacent the bottom of the casting. On the other hand, the chain is secured adjacent the top of the casting. As will be explained, this provides an ideal distribution of forces whereby maximum dependability will be available in the construction.

The drawings illustrate a bail assembly 10 comprising a U-shaped bar 12 and a casting 14. The upper portion of the .U-shaped bar is adapted to receive a lifting hook 16, for example of the type utilized in association with an overhead crane.

The downwardly extending legs of the U-shaped bar 12 are received in openings 18 defined by the casting 14. As best shown in FIG. 3, these legs are secured to the casting adjacent the bottom of the openings 18. Pins 20 extend through aligned openings in the wall of the casting and in the legs of the U-shaped bar to provide the securing function.

A plurality of additional openings 22 are defined by the casting 14. The openings 22 are adapted to receive the end link 24 of each of the chain sections 26. The chain sections are in turn secured to a magnet 28.

The links 24 are secured to the casting 14 by means of pins 30. Holes 32 extend through the walls of the casting Which dene the openings 22. These holes are located adjacent the top of the openings 22. It will be apparent when considering FIGS. 3 and 4 that the connection of the chains 26 are located at points substantially above the connections for the U-shaped bar.

The pins 20 and 30 preferably comprise Cotter pins t0 permit easy assembly and removal. With an arrangement of this type, the bail assembly can be utilized -without diiculty and can be shifted from one magnet structure to another. Furthermore, the individual parts of the bail assembly can be replaced if the need should arise.

The provision of the bail assembly in two parts is an important advantage since the U-shaped portion 12 can be forged to provide maximum strength. Since this represents a simple design, there is no significant expense involved in employing wrought material for this portion of the assembly.

The casting 14 is of more complex design, and the utilization of a casting procedure is important from a cost standpoint. Strength and reliability is not sacrificed, however, in view of the unique design of the casting. Specically, the manner of securing the bar i12 and the chains 26 permits utilization of a casting for applications involving very high loads without the danger of failure.

The placement of the chain connections at the top of the casting causes downwardly directed forces to be applied. The connections for the legs of the U-shaped bar, however, produce a counterforce which means that the casting is essentially in compression in the construction.

It will also be noted that the holes 32 for the pins 30 are positioned close to the axis of the construction. On the other hand, the pins 20 are located farther from the axis. With this arrangement, some lateral compression is applied during use of the assembly further insuring against failure of the casting. Thus, even if there are defects in the casting, the combination of longitudinal and lateral compression will tend to overcome such defects and greatly minimizes the chance that the defects will cause failure of the assembly.

The construction of this invention provides distinct manufacturing advantages while permitting use for applications involving very high loads. Another important advantage relates to safety. Thus, there is minimum danger of failure of the components whereby individuals working in the area of the magnet will not be subjected to undue danger.

It will be understood that various changes and modications may be made in the above described construction which provide the characteristics of this invention Iwithout departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a supporting structure for a magnet wherein a bail is provided for connection with a chain secured to the magnet, the imprOvement wherein said bail comprises a two-part assembly consisting of an upwardly extending U-shaped bar, and a casting, said casting comprising a centrally located body portion, rst connecting means cast integrally with said body portion and extending downwardly therefrom, vertically extending openings delined by said casting for receiving the downwardly extending legs of said bar, means associated with said first connecting means adjacent the lower end of said downwardly extending openings for releasably attaching the lower ends of said legs to said rst connecting means, second connecting means cast integrally with said body portion and extending upwardly therefrom, additional vertically extending openings defined by said casting for receiving the upper end of said chain, means associated with said second connecting means for releasably attaching the upper end of said chain to said second connecting means, and wherein the means for releasably connecting said legs are located a greater distance from the vertical axis of said assembly than the means for releasably connecting said chain.

2. A structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprise bolts and cotter pins, and wherein said first and second connecting means define openings for receiving said bolts, said bolts extending through aligned openings in said legs and chain for attaching of the legs and chain.

3. A structure in accordance with claim 2 wherein four chain connections are provided at 90 intervals around said casting, and wherein a pair of leg connections are provided on opposite sides of said casting between each pair of chain connections.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,638,213 8/1927 Reschke 294-82 X 2,200,044 5/ 1940 Shannon 294-78 X 3,299,628 1/1967 Chisler 294-82 X EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner W. S. CARSON, Assistant Examiner 

